Method for 3 dimensional pocket-forming

ABSTRACT

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/891,430, filed May 10,2013, entitled “Methodology For Pocket-Forming,” which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/720,798, filed Oct. 31,2012, entitled “Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission,”61/668,799, filed Jul. 6, 2012, entitled “Receivers For PowerTransmission,” and 61/677,706, filed Jul. 31, 2012, entitled“Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission,” the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/925,469, filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled“Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming,” the entire contents of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/946,082, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled“Method for 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming,” the entire contents of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/891,399, filed May 10, 2013, entitled“Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission,” which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/720,798, filed Oct. 31,2012, entitled “Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission,”61/668,799, filed Jul. 6, 2012, entitled “Receivers For PowerTransmission,” and 61/677,706, filed Jul. 31, 2012, entitled“Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission,” the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/891,445, filed May 10, 2013, entitled“Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission,” which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/720,798, filed Oct. 31,2012, entitled “Scalable Antenna Assemblies For Power Transmission,”61/668,799, filed Jul. 6, 2012, entitled “Receivers For PowerTransmission,” and 61/677,706, filed Jul. 31, 2012, entitled“Transmitters For Wireless Power Transmission,” the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 13/926,020, filed Jun. 25, 2013, entitled“Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range,” the entire contentsof which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks andother electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way wecommunicate and interact with others. The frequent use of these devicesmay require a significant amount of power, which may easily deplete thebatteries attached to these devices. Therefore, a user is frequentlyneeded to plug in the device to a power source, and recharge suchdevice. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at leastonce a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day.

Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. Forexample, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronicequipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find availablepower sources to connect to. Lastly, users must plugin to a wall orother power supply to be able to charge his or her electronic device.However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperableduring charging.

Current solutions to this problem may include devices havingrechargeable batteries. However, the aforementioned approach requires auser to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extraset of batteries is charged. Solar-powered battery chargers are alsoknown, however, solar cells are expensive, and a large array of solarcells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity.Other approaches involve a mat or pad that allows charging of a devicewithout physically connecting a plug of the device to an electricaloutlet, by using electromagnetic signals. In this case, the device stillrequires to be placed in a certain location for a period of time inorder to be charged. Assuming a single source power transmission ofelectro-magnetic (EM) signal, an EM signal power gets reduced by afactor proportional to 1/r² over a distance r, in other words, it isattenuated proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, thereceived power at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a smallfraction of the power transmitted. To increase the power of the receivedsignal, the transmission power would have to be boosted. Assuming thatthe transmitted signal has an efficient reception at three centimetersfrom the EM transmitter, receiving the same signal power over a usefuldistance of three meters would entail boosting the transmitted power by10,000 times. Such power transmission is wasteful, as most of the energywould be transmitted and not received by the intended devices, it couldbe hazardous to living tissue, it would most likely interfere with mostelectronic devices in the immediate vicinity, and it may be dissipatedas heat.

In yet another approach such as directional power transmission, it wouldgenerally require knowing the location of the device to be able to pointthe signal in the right direction to enhance the power transmissionefficiency. However, even when the device is located, efficienttransmission is not guaranteed due to reflections and interference ofobjects in the path or vicinity of the receiving device. In addition, inmany use cases the device is not stationary, which is an addeddifficulty.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a wireless powertransmission system where electronic devices may be powered withoutrequiring extra chargers or plugs, and where the mobility andportability of electronic devices may not be compromised. Therefore, awireless power transmission method solving the aforementioned problemsis desired.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits apower transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) tocreate a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver canbe connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive powerfrom the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least onereceiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium(e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform tocreate a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. Thetransmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveformin three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals(e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic deviceand/or for charging a battery. Accordingly, the embodiments for wirelesspower transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality ofelectrical devices without wires.

In one embodiment, a method of forming a pocket of energy, the methodcomprises capturing, by a transmitter, a first signal from a receiver,wherein the first signal is captured by a first subset of antennas ofthe transmitter; transmitting, by the transmitter, one or more powertransmission waves to the receiver based on data contained in the firstsignal, wherein the one or more power transmission waves are transmittedusing the first subset of antennas; capturing, by the transmitter, asecond signal from the receiver, wherein the second signal is capturedby a second subset of antennas of the transmitter; and transmitting, bythe transmitter, the one or more power transmission waves to form apocket of energy at a location relative to the receiver based on thefirst and second signals, wherein the transmitter continuously adjuststhe first subset of antennas and the second subset of antennas to formthe pocket of energy at the location relative to the receiver.

In another embodiment, a system for three-dimensional pocket-forming inwireless power transmission, the system comprises a transmittercomprising an array of one or more antennas configured to transmit oneor more power transmission waves, and a microprocessor configured tocontrol the array of antennas to form a pocket of energy using the oneor more power transmission waves; a receiver comprising one or moreantennas configured to receive energy from a pocket of energy generatedby transmitter, and a communications antenna transmitting one or morecommunications signals, wherein the receiver is associated with anelectronic device receiving an electrical charge from the receiver,wherein the array of antennas of the transmitter contains a first subsetof one or more antennas configured to capture a first signal generatedby the receiver; wherein the array of antennas of the transmittercontains a second subset of one or more antennas configured to capture asecond signal generated by the receiver; and wherein the microprocessoris further configured to adjust the first subset of antennas and thesecond subset of antennas to transmit the pocket of energy to thereceiver.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus for three-dimensionalpocket-forming in wireless power transmission, the apparatus comprises areceiver connected to an electronic device configured for communicatingwith a transmitter by generating first and second signals representativeof horizontal and vertical orientation or values in a spherical system;and a first and second subset of antenna elements configured forcapturing the horizontal and vertical values of the receiver for themicroprocessor to calculate the corresponding values of the phase andgain for the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capturethe signals and used by the microprocessor to adjust antenna elements ofthe transmitter for forming a pocket of energy used by the receiver topower the electronic device.

Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription. The objectives and other advantages of the invention willbe realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out inthe exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereofas well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to thefollowing figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views. Non-limitingembodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of examplewith reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and arenot intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing thebackground art, the figures represent aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system overview, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture for wireless power transmission,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates components of a system of wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming procedures, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 6B illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 7 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIG. 8 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of an architecture for wirelesslycharging client computing platform, according to an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates multiple adaptive pocket-forming, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a system architecture for wirelesslycharging client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for determining receiver location usingantenna element, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13A illustrates an array subset configuration, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13B illustrates an array subset configuration, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flat transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 15A illustrates a transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 15B illustrates a box transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram of an architecture for incorporatingtransmitter into different devices, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a transmitter configuration according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18A illustrates multiple rectifiers connected in parallel to anantenna element, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18B illustrates multiple antenna elements connected in parallel toa rectifier, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19A illustrates multiple antenna elements outputs combined andconnected to parallel rectifiers, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19B illustrates groups of antenna elements connected to differentrectifiers, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20A illustrates a device with an embedded receiver, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20B illustrates a battery with an embedded receiver, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20C illustrates external hardware that may be attached to a device,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21A illustrates hardware in the form of case, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21B illustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexibleprinted circuit board, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates internal hardware according to an exemplaryembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference toembodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Otherembodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are notmeant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore,the various components and embodiments described herein may be combinedto form additional embodiments not expressly described, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additionalapplications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here,which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and havingpossession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope ofthe invention.

I. Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

A. Components System Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for wireless power transmission by formingpockets of energy 104. The system 100 may comprise transmitters 101,receivers 103, client devices 105, and pocket detectors 107.Transmitters 101 may transmit power transmission signals comprisingpower transmission waves, which may be captured by receivers 103. Thereceivers 103 may comprise antennas, antenna elements, and othercircuitry (detailed later), which may convert the captured waves into auseable source of electrical energy on behalf of client devices 105associated with the receivers 103. In some embodiments, transmitters 101may transmit power transmission signals, made up of power transmissionwaves, in one or more trajectories by manipulating the phase, gain,and/or other waveform features of the power transmission waves, and/orby selecting different transmit antennas. In such embodiments, thetransmitters 101 may manipulate the trajectories of the powertransmission signals so that the underlying power transmission wavesconverge at a location in space, resulting in certain forms ofinterference. One type of interference generated at the convergence ofthe power transmission waves, “constructive interference,” may be afield of energy caused by the convergence of the power transmissionwaves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentratedat that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtractfrom each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location,which is called “destructive interference”. The accumulation ofsufficient energy at the constructive interference may establish a fieldof energy, or “pocket of energy” 104, which may be harvested by theantennas of a receiver 103, provided the antennas are configured tooperate on the frequency of the power transmission signals. Accordingly,the power transmission waves establish pockets of energy 104 at thelocation in space where the receivers 103 may receive, harvest, andconvert the power transmission waves into useable electrical energy,which may power or charge associated electrical client devices 105.Detectors 107 may be devices comprising a receiver 103 that are capableof producing a notification or alert in response to receiving powertransmission signals. As an example, a user searching for the optimalplacement of a receiver 103 to charge the user's client device 105 mayuse a detector 107 that comprises an LED light 108, which may brightenwhen the detector 107 captures the power transmission signals from asingle beam or a pocket of energy 104.

1. Transmitters

The transmitter 101 may transmit or broadcast power transmission signalsto a receiver 103 associated with a device 105. Although several of theembodiments mentioned below describe the power transmission signals asradio frequency (RF) waves, it should be appreciated that the powertransmission may be physical media that is capable of being propagatedthrough space, and that is capable of being converted into a source ofelectrical energy 103. The transmitter 101 may transmit the powertransmission signals as a single beam directed at the receivers 103. Insome cases, one or more transmitters 101 may transmit a plurality ofpower transmission signals that are propagated in a multiple directionsand may deflect off of physical obstructions (e.g., walls). Theplurality of power transmission signals may converge at a location in athree-dimensional space, forming a pocket of energy 104. Receivers 103within the boundaries of an energy pocket 104 may capture and covert thepower transmission signals into a useable source of energy. Thetransmitter 101 may control pocket-forming based on phase and/orrelative amplitude adjustments of power transmission signals, to formconstructive interference patterns.

Although the exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF wavetransmission techniques, the wireless charging techniques should not belimited to RF wave transmission techniques. Rather, it should beappreciated that possible wireless charging techniques may include anynumber of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energyto a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power.Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can beconverted by a receiving device into electrical power may include:ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laserlight, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the caseof ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may bedisposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasoundwaves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves andconverts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductivemagnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil andconverted by a receiver coil into electrical power. In addition,although the exemplary transmitter 101 is shown as a single unitcomprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmit array), both forRF transmission of power and for other power transmission methodsmentioned in this paragraph, the transmit arrays can comprise multipletransmitters that are physically spread around a room rather than beingin a compact regular structure.

The transmitter includes an antenna array where the antennas are usedfor sending the power transmission signal. Each antenna sends powertransmission waves where the transmitter applies a different phase andamplitude to the signal transmitted from different antennas. Similar tothe formation of pockets of energy, the transmitter can form a phasedarray of delayed versions of the signal to be transmitted, then appliesdifferent amplitudes to the delayed versions of the signal, and thensends the signals from appropriate antennas. For a sinusoidal waveform,such as an RF signal, ultrasound, microwave, or others, delaying thesignal is similar to applying a phase shift to the signal.

2. Pockets of Energy

A pocket of energy 104 may be formed at locations of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission signals transmitted by thetransmitter 101. The pockets of energy 104 may manifest as athree-dimensional field where energy may be harvested by receivers 103located within the pocket of energy 104. The pocket of energy 104produced by transmitters 101 during pocket-forming may be harvested by areceiver 103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided toelectronic client device 105 associated with the receiver 103 (e.g.,laptop computer, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments,there may be multiple transmitters 101 and/or multiple receivers 103powering various client devices 105. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may adjust transmission of the power transmission signalsin order to regulate power levels and/or identify movement of thedevices 105.

3. Receivers

A receiver 103 may be used for powering or charging an associated clientdevice 105, which may be an electrical device coupled to or integratedwith the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may receive power transmissionwaves from one or more power transmission signals originating from oneor more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive the powertransmission signals as a single beam produced by the transmitter 101,or the receiver 103 may harvest power transmission waves from a pocketof energy 104, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resultingfrom the convergence of a plurality of power transmission waves producedby one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may comprise an arrayof antennas 112 configured to receive power transmission waves from apower transmission signal and harvest the energy from the powertransmission signals of the single beam or pocket of energy 104. Thereceiver 103 may comprise circuitry that then converts the energy of thepower transmission signals (e.g., the radio frequency electromagneticradiation) to electrical energy. A rectifier of the receiver 103 maytranslate the electrical energy from AC to DC. Other types ofconditioning may be applied, as well. For example, a voltageconditioning circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of theelectrical energy as required by the client device 105. An electricalrelay may then convey the electrical energy from the receiver 103 to theclient device 105.

In some embodiments, the receiver 103 may comprise a communicationscomponent that transmits control signals to the transmitter 101 in orderto exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signals maycontain status information about the client device 105, the receiver103, or the power transmission signals. Status information may include,for example, present location information of the device 105, amount ofcharge received, amount of charged used, and user account information,among other types of information. Further, in some applications, thereceiver 103 including the rectifier that it contains may be integratedinto the client device 105. For practical purposes, the receiver 103,wire 111, and client device 105 may be a single unit contained in asingle packaging.

4. Control Signals

In some embodiments, control signals may serve as data inputs used bythe various antenna elements responsible for controlling production ofpower transmission signals and/or pocket-forming. Control signals may beproduced by the receiver 103 or the transmitter 101 using an externalpower supply (not shown) and a local oscillator chip (not shown), whichin some cases may include using a piezoelectric material. Controlsignals may be RF waves or any other communication medium or protocolcapable of communicating data between processors, such as Bluetooth®,RFID, infrared, near-field communication (NFC). As detailed later,control signals may be used to convey information between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 103 used to adjust the powertransmission signals, as well as contain information related to status,efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, andother types of information.

5. Detectors

A detector 107 may comprise hardware similar to receivers 103, which mayallow the detector 107 to receive power transmission signals originatingfrom one or more transmitters 101. The detector 107 may be used by usersto identify the location of pockets of energy 104, so that users maydetermine the preferable placement of a receiver 103. In someembodiments, the detector 107 may comprise an indicator light 108 thatindicates when the detector is placed within the pocket of energy 104.As an example, in FIG. 1, detectors 107 a, 107 b are located within thepocket of energy 104 generated by the transmitter 101, which may triggerthe detectors 107 a, 107 b to turn on their respective indicator lights108 a, 108 b, because the detectors 107 a, 107 b are receiving powertransmission signals of the pocket of energy 104; whereas, the indicatorlight 108 c of a third detector 107 c located outside of the pockets ofenergy 104, is turned off, because the third detector 107 c is notreceiving the power transmission signals from the transmitter 101. Itshould be appreciated that the functions of a detector, such as theindicator light, may be integrated into a receiver or into a clientdevice in alternative embodiments as well.

6. Client Device

A client device 105 may be any electrical device that requirescontinuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery.Non-limiting examples of client devices 105 may include laptops, mobilephones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries,flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles,appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called “wearables”(e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smartwatch), among other types ofelectrical devices.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 a may be a physical devicedistinct from the receiver 103 a associated with the client device 105a. In such embodiments, the client device 105 a may be connected to thereceiver over a wire 111 that conveys converted electrical energy fromthe receiver 103 a to the client device 105 a. In some cases, othertypes of data may be transported over the wire 111, such as powerconsumption status, power usage metrics, device identifiers, and othertypes of data.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 b may be permanentlyintegrated or detachably coupled to the receiver 103 b, thereby forminga single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device105 b may be placed into a sleeve that has embedded receivers 103 b andthat may detachably couple to the device's 105 b power supply input,which may be typically used to charge the device's 105 b battery. Inthis example, the device 105 b may be decoupled from the receiver, butmay remain in the sleeve regardless of whether or not the device 105 brequires an electrical charge or is being used. In another example, inlieu of having a battery that holds a charge for the device 105 b, thedevice 105 b may comprise an integrated receiver 105 b, which may bepermanently integrated into the device 105 b so as to form an indistinctproduct, device, or unit. In this example, the device 105 b may relyalmost entirely on the integrated receiver 103 b to produce electricalenergy by harvesting pockets of energy 104. It should be clear tosomeone skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver 103and the client device 105 may be a wire 111 or may be an electricalconnection on a circuit board or an integrated circuit, or even awireless connection, such as inductive or magnetic.

B. Method of Wireless Power Transmission

FIG. 2 shows steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary method 200 embodiment.

In a first step 201, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection orotherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments,transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using awireless communication protocol capable of transmitting informationbetween two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, inembodiments implementing Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, thetransmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signalsor a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter.The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to thetransmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter andthe receiver. As described herein, in some embodiments, theadvertisement signal may communicate information that may be used byvarious devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers,other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures.Information contained within the advertisement signal may include adevice identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage ofelectrical energy received, client device power consumption, and othertypes of data related to power transmission. The transmitter may use theadvertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in somecases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in athree-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver,the transmitter may establish the connection associated in thetransmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver tocommunicate control signals over a second channel.

In a next step 203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal todetermine a set of power transmission signal features for transmittingthe power transmission signals, to then establish the pockets of energy.Non-limiting examples of features of power transmission signals mayinclude phase, gain, amplitude, magnitude, and direction among others.The transmitter may use information contained in the receiver'sadvertisement signal, or in subsequent control signals received from thereceiver, to determine how to produce and transmit the powertransmission signals so that the receiver may receive the powertransmission signals. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit powertransmission signals in a way that establishes a pocket of energy, fromwhich the receiver may harvest electrical energy. In some embodiments,the transmitter may comprise a processor executing software modulescapable of automatically identifying the power transmission signalfeatures needed to establish a pocket of energy based on informationreceived from the receiver, such as the voltage of the electrical energyharvested by the receiver from the power transmission signals. It shouldbe appreciated that in some embodiments, the functions of the processorand/or the software modules may be implemented in an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisementsignal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over a secondcommunications channel may indicate one or more power transmissionsignals features, which the transmitter may then use to produce andtransmit power transmission signals to establish a pocket of energy. Forexample, in some cases the transmitter may automatically identify thephase and gain necessary for transmitting the power transmission signalsbased on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver;and, in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter the phaseand gain for effectively transmitting the power transmission signals.

In a next step 205, after the transmitter determines the appropriatefeatures to use when transmitting the power transmission signals, thetransmitter may begin transmitting power transmission signals, over aseparate channel from the control signals. Power transmission signalsmay be transmitted to establish a pocket of energy. The transmitter'santenna elements may transmit the power transmission signals such thatthe power transmission signals converge in a two-dimensional orthree-dimensional space around the receiver. The resulting field aroundthe receiver forms a pocket of energy from which the receiver mayharvest electrical energy. One antenna element may be used to transmitpower transmission signals to establish two-dimensional energytransmissions; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna elementmay be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establisha three-dimensional pocket of energy. In some cases, a plurality ofantenna elements may be used to transmit power transmission signals inorder to establish the pocket of energy. Moreover, in some cases, theplurality of antennas may include all of the antennas in thetransmitter; and, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include anumber of the antennas in the transmitter, but fewer than all of theantennas of the transmitter.

As previously mentioned, the transmitter may produce and transmit powertransmission signals, according to a determined set of powertransmission signal features, which may be produced and transmittedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip comprising apiezoelectric material. The transmitter may comprise an RFIC thatcontrols production and transmission of the power transmission signalsbased on information related to power transmission and pocket-formingreceived from the receiver. This control data may be communicated over adifferent channel from the power transmission signals, using wirelesscommunications protocols, such as BLE, NFC, or ZigBee®. The RFIC of thetransmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relativemagnitudes of the power transmission signals as needed. Pocket-formingis accomplished by the transmitter transmitting the power transmissionsignals in a manner that forms constructive interference patterns.

Antenna elements of the transmitter may use concepts of waveinterference to determine certain power transmission signals features(e.g., direction of transmission, phase of power transmission signalwave), when transmitting the power transmission signals duringpocket-forming. The antenna elements may also use concepts ofconstructive interference to generate a pocket of energy, but may alsoutilize concepts of deconstructive interference to generate atransmission null in a particular physical location.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to a plurality ofreceivers using pocket-forming, which may require the transmitter toexecute a procedure for multiple pocket-forming. A transmittercomprising a plurality of antenna elements may accomplish multiplepocket-forming by automatically computing the phase and gain of powertransmission signal waves, for each antenna element of the transmittertasked with transmitting power transmission signals the respectivereceivers. The transmitter may compute the phase and gainsindependently, because multiple wave paths for each power transmissionsignal may be generated by the transmitter's antenna elements totransmit the power transmission signals to the respective antennaelements of the receiver.

As an example of the computation of phase/gain adjustments for twoantenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals, say X andY where Y is 180 degree phase shifted version of X (Y=−X). At a physicallocation where the cumulative received waveform is X−Y, a receiverreceives X−Y=X+X=2X, whereas at a physical location where the cumulativereceived waveform is X+Y, a receiver receives X+Y=X−X=0.

In a next step 207, the receiver may harvest or otherwise receiveelectrical energy from power transmission signals of a single beam or apocket of energy. The receiver may comprise a rectifier and AC/DCconverter, which may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DCcurrent, and a rectifier of the receiver may then rectify the electricalenergy, resulting in useable electrical energy for a client deviceassociated with the receiver, such as a laptop computer, smartphone,battery, toy, or other electrical device. The receiver may utilize thepocket of energy produced by the transmitter during pocket-forming tocharge or otherwise power the electronic device.

In next step 209, the receiver may generate control data containinginformation indicating the effectiveness of the single beam or energypockets providing the receiver power transmission signals. The receivermay then transmit control signals containing the control data, to thetransmitter. The control signals may be transmitted intermittently,depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are communicatingsynchronously (i.e., the transmitter is expecting to receive controldata from the receiver). Additionally, the transmitter may continuouslytransmit the power transmission signals to the receiver, irrespective ofwhether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals.The control data may contain information related to transmitting powertransmission signals and/or establishing effective pockets of energy.Some of the information in the control data may inform the transmitterhow to effectively produce and transmit, and in some cases adjust, thefeatures of the power transmission signals. Control signals may betransmitted and received over a second channel, independent from thepower transmission signals, using a wireless protocol capable oftransmitting control data related to power transmission signals and/orpocket-forming, such as BLE, NFC, Wi-Fi, or the like.

As mentioned, the control data may contain information indicating theeffectiveness of the power transmission signals of the single beam orestablishing the pocket of energy. The control data may be generated bya processor of the receiver monitoring various aspects of receiverand/or the client device associated with the receiver. The control datamay be based on various types of information, such as the voltage ofelectrical energy received from the power transmission signals, thequality of the power transmission signals reception, the quality of thebattery charge or quality of the power reception, and location or motionof the receiver, among other types of information useful for adjustingthe power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming.

In some embodiments, a receiver may determine the amount of power beingreceived from power transmission signals transmitted from thetransmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should “split” orsegment the power transmission signals into less-powerful powertransmission signals. The less-powerful power transmission signals maybe bounced off objects or walls nearby the device, thereby reducing theamount of power being transmitted directly from the transmitter to thereceiver.

In a next step 211, the transmitter may calibrate the antennastransmitting the power transmission signals, so that the antennastransmit power transmission signals having a more effective set offeature (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments,a processor of the transmitter may automatically determine moreeffective features for producing and transmitting the power transmissionsignals based on a control signal received from the receiver. Thecontrol signal may contain control data, and may be transmitted by thereceiver using any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g.,BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee®). The control data may contain information expresslyindicating the more effective features for the power transmission waves;or the transmitter may automatically determine the more effectivefeatures based on the waveform features of the control signal (e.g.,shape, frequency, amplitude). The transmitter may then automaticallyreconfigure the antennas to transmit recalibrated power transmissionsignals according to the newly determined more-effective features. Forexample, the processor of the transmitter may adjust gain and/or phaseof the power transmission signals, among other features of powertransmission feature, to adjust for a change in location of thereceiver, after a user moved the receiver outside of thethree-dimensional space where the pocket of energy is established.

C. System Architecture of Power Transmission System

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture 300 for wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.“Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more power transmissionwaves 342 that converge at a location in three-dimensional space,resulting in constructive interference patterns at that location. Atransmitter 302 may transmit and/or broadcast controlled powertransmission waves 342 (e.g., microwaves, radio waves, ultrasound waves)that may converge in three-dimensional space. These power transmissionwaves 342 may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive interference patterns (pocket-forming)in locations where a pocket of energy is intended. It should beunderstood also that the transmitter can use the same principles tocreate destructive interference in a location thereby creating atransmission null—a location where transmitted power transmission wavescancel each other out substantially and no significant energy can becollected by a receiver. In typical use cases the aiming of a powertransmission signal at the location of the receiver is the objective;and in other cases it may be desirable to specifically avoid powertransmission to a particular location; and in other cases it may bedesirable to aim power transmission signal at a location whilespecifically avoiding transmission to a second location at the sametime. The transmitter takes the use case into account when calibratingantennas for power transmission.

Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may operate in single array,pair array, quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may bedesigned in accordance with the desired application. Pockets of energymay be formed at constructive interference patterns where the powertransmission waves 342 accumulate to form a three-dimensional field ofenergy, around which one or more corresponding transmission null in aparticular physical location may be generated by destructiveinterference patterns. Transmission null in a particular physicallocation-may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energydo not form because of destructive interference patterns of powertransmission waves 342.

A receiver 320 may then utilize power transmission waves 342 emitted bythe transmitter 302 to establish a pocket of energy, for charging orpowering an electronic device 313, thus effectively providing wirelesspower transmission. Pockets of energy may refer to areas or regions ofspace where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission waves 342. In othersituations there can be multiple transmitters 302 and/or multiplereceivers 320 for powering various electronic equipment for examplesmartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time.In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulatepower on electronic devices. Adaptive pocket-forming may refer todynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or moretargeted receivers.

Receiver 320 may communicate with transmitter 302 by generating a shortsignal through antenna elements 324 in order to indicate its positionwith respect to the transmitter 302. In some embodiments, receiver 320may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similarcomputer networking component to communicate through a network 340 withother devices or components of the system 300, such as a cloud computingservice that manages several collections of transmitters 302. Thereceiver 320 may comprise circuitry 308 for converting the powertransmission signals 342 captured by the antenna elements 324, intoelectrical energy that may be provided to and electric device 313 and/ora battery of the device 315. In some embodiments, the circuitry mayprovide electrical energy to a battery of receiver 335, which may storeenergy without the electrical device 313 being communicatively coupledto the receiver 320.

Communications components 324 may enable receiver 320 to communicatewith the transmitter 302 by transmitting control signals 345 over awireless protocol. The wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocolor use a conventional wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi,NFC, ZigBee, and the like. Communications component 324 may then be usedto transfer information, such as an identifier for the electronic device313, as well as battery level information, geographic location data, orother information that may be of use for transmitter 302 in determiningwhen to send power to receiver 320, as well as the location to deliverpower transmission waves 342 creating pockets of energy. In otherembodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate powerprovided to electronic devices 313. In such embodiments, thecommunications components 324 of the receiver may transmit voltage dataindicating the amount of power received at the receiver 320, and/or theamount of voltage provided to an electronic device 313 b or battery 315.

Once transmitter 302 identifies and locates receiver 320, a channel orpath for the control signals 345 can be established, through which thetransmitter 302 may know the gain and phases of the control signals 345coming from receiver 320. Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302may start to transmit or broadcast controlled power transmission waves342 (e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasound waves), which may convergein three-dimensional space by using at least two antenna elements 306 tomanipulate the power transmission waves 342 emitted from the respectiveantenna element 306. These power transmission waves 342 may be producedby using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. The power transmission waves 342 may becontrolled by transmitter circuitry 301, which may include a proprietarychip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of powertransmission waves 342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveformfeatures of the power transmission waves 342 may serve as inputs forantenna element 306 to form constructive and destructive interferencepatterns (pocket-forming). In some implementations, a micro-controller310 or other circuit of the transmitter 302 may produce a powertransmission signal, which comprises power transmission waves 342, andthat may be may split into multiple outputs by transmitter circuitry301, depending on the number of antenna elements 306 connected to thetransmitter circuitry 301. For example, if four antenna elements 306 a-dare connected to one transmitter circuit 301 a, the power transmissionsignal will be split into four different outputs each output going to anantenna element 306 to be transmitted as power transmission waves 342originating from the respective antenna elements 306.

Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change thedirectionality of the antenna element 306 where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and destructive interferencegenerates a transmission null. Receiver 320 may then utilize pocket ofenergy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronicdevice and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket-forming may be achieved by computing the phase and gainfrom each antenna 306 of transmitter 302 to each receiver 320.

D. Components of Systems Forming Pockets of Energy

FIG. 4 shows components of an exemplary system 400 of wireless powertransmission using pocket-forming procedures. The system 400 maycomprise one or more transmitters 402, one or more receivers 420, andone or more client devices 446.

1. Transmitters

Transmitters 402 may be any device capable of broadcasting wirelesspower transmission signals, which may be RF waves 442, for wirelesspower transmission, as described herein. Transmitters 402 may beresponsible for performing tasks related to transmitting powertransmission signals, which may include pocket-forming, adaptivepocket-forming, and multiple pocket-forming. In some implementations,transmitters 402 may transmit wireless power transmissions to receivers420 in the form of RF waves, which may include any radio signal havingany frequency or wavelength. A transmitter 402 may include one or moreantenna elements 406, one or more RFICs 408, one or moremicrocontrollers 410, one or more communication components 412, a powersource 414, and a housing that may allocate all the requested componentsfor the transmitter 402. The various components of transmitters 402 maycomprise, and/or may be manufactured using, meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.

In the exemplary system 400, the transmitter 402 may transmit orotherwise broadcast controlled RF waves 442 that converge at a locationin three-dimensional space, thereby forming a pocket of energy 444.These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns(i.e., pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 444 may be fields formed atconstructive interference patterns and may be three-dimensional inshape; whereas transmission null in a particular physical location maybe generated at destructive interference patterns. Receivers 420 mayharvest electrical energy from the pockets of energy 444 produced bypocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic client device 446(e.g., a laptop computer, a cell phone). In some embodiments, the system400 may comprise multiple transmitters 402 and/or multiple receivers420, for powering various electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples ofclient devices 446 may include: smartphones, tablets, music players,toys and others at the same time. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.

2. Receivers

Receivers 420 may include a housing where at least one antenna element424, one rectifier 426, one power converter 428, and a communicationscomponent 430 may be included.

Housing of the receiver 420 can be made of any material capable offacilitating signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for exampleplastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may beadded to different electronic equipment, for example in the form ofcases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.

3. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements 424 of the receiver 420 may comprise any type ofantenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in frequencybands used by the transmitter 402A. Antenna elements 424 may includevertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left handpolarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as wellas any number of polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizationscan be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferredorientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuouslythrough time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. Fordevices having a well-defined expected orientation (e.g., a two-handedvideo game controller), there might be a preferred polarization forantennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of agiven polarization. Types of antennas in antenna elements 424 of thereceiver 420, may include patch antennas, which may have heights fromabout ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6inches. Patch antennas may preferably have polarization that dependsupon connectivity, i.e., the polarization may vary depending on fromwhich side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antennamay be any type of antenna, such as patch antennas, capable ofdynamically varying the antenna polarization to optimize wireless powertransmission.

4. Rectifier

Rectifiers 426 of the receiver 420 may include diodes, resistors,inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltagegenerated by antenna elements 424 to direct current (DC) voltage.Rectifiers 426 may be placed as close as is technically possible toantenna elements A24B to minimize losses in electrical energy gatheredfrom power transmission signals. After rectifying AC voltage, theresulting DC voltage may be regulated using power converters 428. Powerconverters 428 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide aconstant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device,or as in this exemplary system 400, to a battery. Typical voltageoutputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In someembodiments, power converter may include electronic switched mode DC-DCconverters, which can provide high efficiency. In such embodiments, thereceiver 420 may comprise a capacitor (not shown) that is situated toreceive the electrical energy before power converters 428. The capacitormay ensure sufficient current is provided to an electronic switchingdevice (e.g., switch mode DC-DC converter), so it may operateeffectively. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone orlaptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimumvoltage needed to activate operation of an electronic switched modeDC-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (notshown) may be added at the output of receivers 420 to provide the extraenergy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided. For example,1/80 of the total initial power that may be used while having the phoneor laptop still build-up charge.

5. Communications Component

A communications component 430 of a receiver 420 may communicate withone or more other devices of the system 400, such as other receivers420, client devices, and/or transmitters 402. Different antenna,rectifier or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver aswill be explained in following embodiments.

E. Methods of Pocket Forming for a Plurality of Devices

FIG. 5 shows steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment.

In a first step 501, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection orotherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments,transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using awireless communication protocol capable of transmitting informationbetween two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, BLE,Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implement Bluetooth®or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver'sbroadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit anadvertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal mayannounce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger anassociation between the transmitter and the receiver. As describedlater, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicateinformation that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters,client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and managepocket-forming procedures. Information contained within theadvertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address,IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, clientdevice power consumption, and other types of data related to powertransmission waves. The transmitter may use the advertisement signaltransmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate thereceiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space.Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter mayestablish the connection associated in the transmitter with thereceiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate controlsignals over a second channel.

As an example, when a receiver comprising a Bluetooth® processor ispowered-up or is brought within a detection range of the transmitter,the Bluetooth processor may begin advertising the receiver according toBluetooth® standards. The transmitter may recognize the advertisementand begin establishing connection for communicating control signals andpower transmission signals. In some embodiments, the advertisementsignal may contain unique identifiers so that the transmitter maydistinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all theother Bluetooth® devices nearby within range.

In a next step 503, when the transmitter detects the advertisementsignal, the transmitter may automatically form a communicationconnection with that receiver, which may allow the transmitter andreceiver to communicate control signals and power transmission signals.The transmitter may then command that receiver to begin transmittingreal-time sample data or control data. The transmitter may also begintransmitting power transmission signals from antennas of thetransmitter's antenna array.

In a next step 505, the receiver may then measure the voltage, amongother metrics related to effectiveness of the power transmissionsignals, based on the electrical energy received by the receiver'santennas. The receiver may generate control data containing the measuredinformation, and then transmit control signals containing the controldata to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample thevoltage measurements of received electrical energy, for example, at arate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltagesample measurement back to the transmitter, 100 times a second, in theform of control signals.

In a next step 507, the transmitter may execute one or more softwaremodules monitoring the metrics, such as voltage measurements, receivedfrom the receiver. Algorithms may vary production and transmission ofpower transmission signals by the transmitter's antennas, to maximizethe effectiveness of the pockets of energy around the receiver. Forexample, the transmitter may adjust the phase at which the transmitter'santenna transmit the power transmission signals, until that powerreceived by the receiver indicates an effectively established pocketenergy around the receiver. When an optimal configuration for theantennas is identified, memory of the transmitter may store theconfigurations to keep the transmitter broadcasting at that highestlevel.

In a next step 509, algorithms of the transmitter may determine when itis necessary to adjust the power transmission signals and may also varythe configuration of the transmit antennas, in response to determiningsuch adjustments are necessary. For example, the transmitter maydetermine the power received at a receiver is less than maximal, basedon the data received from the receiver. The transmitter may thenautomatically adjust the phase of the power transmission signals, butmay also simultaneously continues to receive and monitor the voltagebeing reported back from receiver.

In a next step 511, after a determined period of time for communicatingwith a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/orautomatically detect advertisements from other receivers that may be inrange of the transmitter. The transmitters may establish a connection tothe second receiver responsive to Bluetooth® advertisements from asecond receiver.

In a next step 513, after establishing a second communication connectionwith the second receiver, the transmitter may proceed to adjust one ormore antennas in the transmitter's antenna array. In some embodiments,the transmitter may identify a subset of antennas to service the secondreceiver, thereby parsing the array into subsets of arrays that areassociated with a receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antennaarray may service a first receiver for a given period of time, and thenthe entire array may service the second receiver for that period oftime.

Manual or automated processes performed by the transmitter may select asubset of arrays to service the second receiver. In this example, thetransmitter's array may be split in half, forming two subsets. As aresult, half of the antennas may be configured to transmit powertransmission signals to the first receiver, and half of the antennas maybe configured for the second receiver. In the current step 513, thetransmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure oroptimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. While selectinga subset of an array for transmitting power transmission signals, thetransmitter and second receiver may be communicating control data. As aresult, by the time that the transmitter alternates back tocommunicating with the first receiver and/or scan for new receivers, thetransmitter has already received a sufficient amount of sample data toadjust the phases of the waves transmitted by second subset of thetransmitter's antenna array, to transmit power transmission waves to thesecond receiver effectively.

In a next step 515, after adjusting the second subset to transmit powertransmission signals to the second receiver, the transmitter mayalternate back to communicating control data with the first receiver, orscanning for additional receivers. The transmitter may reconfigure theantennas of the first subset, and then alternate between the first andsecond receivers at a predetermined interval.

In a next step 517, the transmitter may continue to alternate betweenreceivers and scanning for new receivers, at a predetermined interval.As each new receiver is detected, the transmitter may establish aconnection and begin transmitting power transmission signals,accordingly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may be electrically connectedto a device like a smart phone. The transmitter's processor would scanfor any Bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising that it'sa Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth chip. Inside the advertisement,there may be unique identifiers so that the transmitter, when it scannedthat advertisement, could distinguish that advertisement and ultimatelythat receiver from all the other Bluetooth devices nearby within range.When the transmitter detects that advertisement and notices it is areceiver, then the transmitter may immediately form a communicationconnection with that receiver and command that receiver to begin sendingreal time sample data.

The receiver would then measure the voltage at its receiving antennas,send that voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100times a second). The transmitter may start to vary the configuration ofthe transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjuststhe phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage being sent back from thereceiver. In some implementations, the higher the voltage, the moreenergy may be in the pocket. The antenna phases may be altered until thevoltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum pocket of energyaround the receiver. The transmitter may keep the antennas at theparticular phase so the voltage is at the highest level.

The transmitter may vary each individual antenna, one at a time. Forexample, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter, and each antennahas 8 phases, the transmitter may begin with the first antenna and wouldstep the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then sendback the power level for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. Thetransmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. Thetransmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna, and step itthrough 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power levels fromeach phase, and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next thetransmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue torepeat the process until all 32 antennas have stepped through the 8phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit themaximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. When the transmitter forms the communication with thesecond receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennastowards the second receiver and repeat the phase process for each of the32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once the process is completed,the second receiver may getting as much power as possible from thetransmitter. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiverfor a second, and then alternate back to the first receiver for apredetermined period of time (e.g., a second), and the transmitter maycontinue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and thesecond receiver at the predetermined time intervals.

In yet another implementation, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the firstreceiver and re-assign half of the exemplary 32 the antennas aimed atthe first receiver, dedicating only 16 towards the first receiver. Thetransmitter may then assign the second half of the antennas to thesecond receiver, dedicating 16 antennas to the second receiver. Thetransmitter may adjust the phases for the second half of the antennas.Once the 16 antennas have gone through each of the 8 phases, the secondreceiver may be obtaining the maximum voltage in the most efficientmanner to the receiver.

F. Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range

1. Constructive Interference

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an exemplary system 600 implementing wirelesspower transmission principles that may be implemented during exemplarypocket-forming processes. A transmitter 601 comprising a plurality ofantennas in an antenna array, may adjust the phase and amplitude, amongother possible attributes, of power transmission waves 607, beingtransmitted from antennas of the transmitter 601. As shown in FIG. 6A,in the absence of any phase or amplitude adjustment, power transmissionwaves 607 a may be transmitted from each of the antennas will arrive atdifferent locations and have different phases. These differences areoften due to the different distances from each antenna element of thetransmitter 601 a to a receiver 605 a or receivers 605 a, located at therespective locations.

Continuing with FIG. 6A, a receiver 605 a may receive multiple powertransmission signals, each comprising power transmission waves 607 a,from multiple antenna elements of a transmitter 601 a; the composite ofthese power transmission signals may be essentially zero, because inthis example, the power transmission waves add together destructively.That is, antenna elements of the transmitter 601 a may transmit theexact same power transmission signal (i.e., comprising powertransmission waves 607 a having the same features, such as phase andamplitude), and as such, when the power transmission waves 607 a of therespective power transmission signals arrive at the receiver 605 a, theyare offset from each other by 180 degrees. Consequently, the powertransmission waves 607 a of these power transmission signals “cancel”one another. Generally, signals offsetting one another in this way maybe referred to as “destructive,” and thus result in “destructiveinterference.”

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6B, for so-called “constructiveinterference,” signals comprising power transmission waves 607 b thatarrive at the receiver exactly “in phase” with one another, combine toincrease the amplitude of the each signal, resulting in a composite thatis stronger than each of the constituent signals. In the illustrativeexample in FIG. 6A, note that the phase of the power transmission waves607 a in the transmit signals are the same at the location oftransmission, and then eventually add up destructively at the locationof the receiver 605 a. In contrast, in FIG. 6B, the phase of the powertransmission waves 607 b of the transmit signals are adjusted at thelocation of transmission, such that they arrive at the receiver 605 b inphase alignment, and consequently they add constructively. In thisillustrative example, there will be a resulting pocket of energy locatedaround the receiver 605 b in FIG. 6B; and there will be a transmissionnull located around receiver in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 700,where a transmitter 702 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers associated with electrical devices 701. Transmitter 702 maygenerate pocket-forming through wireless power transmission withselective range 700, which may include one or more wireless chargingradii 704 and one or more radii of a transmission null at a particularphysical location 706. A plurality of electronic devices 701 may becharged or powered in wireless charging radii 704. Thus, several spotsof energy may be created, such spots may be employed for enablingrestrictions for powering and charging electronic devices 701. As anexample, the restrictions may include operating specific electronics ina specific or limited spot, contained within wireless charging radii704. Furthermore, safety restrictions may be implemented by the use ofwireless power transmission with selective range 700, such safetyrestrictions may avoid pockets of energy over areas or zones whereenergy needs to be avoided, such areas may include areas includingsensitive equipment to pockets of energy and/or people which do not wantpockets of energy over and/or near them. In embodiments such as the oneshown in FIG. 7, the transmitter 702 may comprise antenna elements foundon a different plane than the receivers associated with electricaldevices 701 in the served area. For example the receivers of electricaldevices 701 may be in a room where a transmitter 702 may be mounted onthe ceiling. Selective ranges for establishing pockets of energy usingpower transmission waves, which may be represented as concentric circlesby placing an antenna array of the transmitter 702 on the ceiling orother elevated location, and the transmitter 702 may emit powertransmission waves that will generate ‘cones’ of energy pockets. In someembodiments, the transmitter 701 may control the radius of each chargingradii 704, thereby establishing intervals for service area to createpockets of energy that are pointed down to an area at a lower plane,which may adjust the width of the cone through appropriate selection ofantenna phase and amplitudes.

FIG. 8 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 800,where a transmitter 802 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers 806. Transmitter 802 may generate pocket-forming throughwireless power transmission with selective range 800, which may includeone or more wireless charging spots 804. A plurality of electronicdevices may be charged or powered in wireless charging spots 804.Pockets of energy may be generated over a plurality of receivers 806regardless the obstacles 804 surrounding them. Pockets of energy may begenerated by creating constructive interference, according to theprinciples described herein, in wireless charging spots 804. Location ofpockets of energy may be performed by tacking receivers 806 and byenabling a plurality of communication protocols by a variety ofcommunication systems such as, Bluetooth® technology, infraredcommunication, Wi-Fi, FM radio, among others.

G. Exemplary System Embodiment Using Heat Maps

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of architecture 900A, 900B for awirelessly charging client computing platform, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some implementations, a user may be inside a room and mayhold on his hands an electronic device (e.g. a smartphone, tablet). Insome implementations, electronic device may be on furniture inside theroom. The electronic device may include a receiver 920A, 920B eitherembedded to the electronic device or as a separate adapter connected toelectronic device. Receivers 920A, 920B may include all the componentsdescribed in FIG. 11. A transmitter 902A, 902B may be hanging on one ofthe walls of the room right behind user. Transmitters 902A, 902B mayalso include all the components described in FIG. 11.

As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receivers 920A, 920Band transmitters 902A, 902B, RF waves may not be easily aimed to thereceivers 920A, 920B in a linear direction. However, since the shortsignals generated from receivers 920A, 920B may be omni-directional forthe type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce over thewalls 944A, 944B until they reach transmitters 902A, 902B. A hot spot944A, 944B may be any item in the room which will reflect the RF waves.For example, a large metal clock on the wall may be used to reflect theRF waves to a user's cell phone.

A micro controller in the transmitter adjusts the transmitted signalfrom each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver.Adjustment may include forming conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. The antennaelement may be controlled simultaneously to steer energy in a givendirection. The transmitter 902A, 902B may scan the room, and look forhot spots 944A, 944B. Once calibration is performed, transmitters 902A,902B may focus RF waves in a channel following a path that may be themost efficient paths. Subsequently, RF signals 942A, 942B may form apocket of energy on a first electronic device and another pocket ofenergy in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such asuser and furniture.

When scanning the service area, the room in FIGS. 9A and 9B, thetransmitter 902A, 902B may employ different methods. As an illustrativeexample, but without limiting the possible methods that can be used, thetransmitter 902A, 902B may detect the phases and magnitudes of thesignal coming from the receiver and use those to form the set oftransmit phases and magnitudes, for example by calculating conjugates ofthem and applying them at transmit. As another illustrative example, thetransmitter may apply all possible phases of transmit antennas insubsequent transmissions, one at a time, and detect the strength of thepocket of energy formed by each combination by observing informationrelated to the signal from the receiver 920A, 920B. Then the transmitter902A, 902B repeats this calibration periodically. In someimplementations, the transmitter 902A, 902B does not have to searchthrough all possible phases, and can search through a set of phases thatare more likely to result in strong pockets of energy based on priorcalibration values. In yet another illustrative example, the transmitter902A, 902B may use preset values of transmit phases for the antennas toform pockets of energy directed to different locations in the room. Thetransmitter may for example scan the physical space in the room from topto bottom and left to right by using preset phase values for antennas insubsequent transmissions. The transmitter 902A, 902B then detects thephase values that result in the strongest pocket of energy around thereceiver 920 a, 920 b by observing the signal from the receiver 920 a,920 b. It should be appreciated that there are other possible methodsfor scanning a service area for heat mapping that may be employed,without deviating from the scope or spirit of the embodiments describedherein. The result of a scan, whichever method is used, is a heat-map ofthe service area (e.g., room, store) from which the transmitter 902A,902B may identify the hot spots that indicate the best phase andmagnitude values to use for transmit antennas in order to maximize thepocket of energy around the receiver.

The transmitters 902A, 902B, may use the Bluetooth connection todetermine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B, and may usedifferent non-overlapping parts of the RF band to channel the RF wavesto different receivers 920A, 920B. In some implementations, thetransmitters 902A, 902B, may conduct a scan of the room to determine thelocation of the receivers 920A, 920B and forms pockets of energy thatare orthogonal to each other, by virtue of non-overlapping RFtransmission bands. Using multiple pockets of energy to direct energy toreceivers may inherently be safer than some alternative powertransmission methods since no single transmission is very strong, whilethe aggregate power transmission signal received at the receiver isstrong.

H. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming 1000A that may include one transmitter 1002A and at leasttwo or more receivers 1020A. Receivers 1020A may communicate withtransmitters 1002A, which is further described in FIG. 11. Oncetransmitter 1002A identifies and locates receivers 1020A, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceivers 1020A. Transmitter 1002A may start to transmit controlled RFwaves 1042A which may converge in three-dimensional space by using aminimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042A may be producedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. RF waves 1042A may be controlled byRFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/orrelative magnitudes of RF signals that may serve as inputs for antennaelements to form constructive and destructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference tochange the directionality of the antenna elements where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy 1060A and deconstructiveinterference generates a transmission null. Receivers 1020A may thenutilize pocket of energy 1060A produced by pocket-forming for chargingor powering an electronic device, for example, a laptop computer 1062Aand a smartphone 1052A and thus effectively providing wireless powertransmission.

Multiple pocket forming 1000A may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter 1002A to each receiver 1020A. Thecomputation may be calculated independently because multiple paths maybe generated by antenna element from transmitter 1002A to antennaelement from receivers 1020A.

I. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10B is an exemplary illustration of multiple adaptivepocket-forming 1000B. In this embodiment, a user may be inside a roomand may hold on his hands an electronic device, which in this case maybe a tablet 1064B. In addition, smartphone 1052B may be on furnitureinside the room. Tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B may each include areceiver either embedded to each electronic device or as a separateadapter connected to tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B. Receiver mayinclude all the components described in FIG. 11. A transmitter 1002B maybe hanging on one of the walls of the room right behind user.Transmitter 1002B may also include all the components described in FIG.11. As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receiver andtransmitter 1002B, RF waves 1042B may not be easily aimed to eachreceiver in a line of sight fashion. However, since the short signalsgenerated from receivers may be omni-directional for the type of antennaelements used, these signals may bounce over the walls until they findtransmitter 1002B. Almost instantly, a micro-controller which may residein transmitter 1002B, may recalibrate the transmitted signals, based onthe received signals sent by each receiver, by adjusting gain and phasesand forming a convergence of the power transmission waves such that theyadd together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—incontrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other anddiminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called“destructive interference” and conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. Oncecalibration is performed, transmitter 1002B may focus RF waves followingthe most efficient paths. Subsequently, a pocket of energy 1060B mayform on tablet 1064B and another pocket of energy 1060B in smartphone1052B while taking into account obstacles such as user and furniture.The foregoing property may be beneficial in that wireless powertransmission using multiple pocket-forming 1000B may inherently be safeas transmission along each pocket of energy is not very strong, and thatRF transmissions generally reflect from living tissue and do notpenetrate.

Once transmitter 1002B identities and locates receiver, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceiver. Transmitter 1002B may start to transmit controlled RF waves1042B that may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum oftwo antenna elements. These RF waves 1042B may be produced using anexternal power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitablepiezoelectric material. RF waves 1042B may be controlled by RFIC thatmay include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relativemagnitudes of RF signals, which may serve as inputs for antenna elementsto form constructive and destructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference tochange the directionality of the antenna elements where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and deconstructiveinterference generates a null in a particular physical location.Receiver may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-formingfor charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptopcomputer and a smartphone and thus effectively providing wireless powertransmission.

Multiple pocket-forming 1000B may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter to each receiver. The computationmay be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generatedby antenna elements from transmitter to antenna elements from receiver.

An example of the computation for at least two antenna elements mayinclude determining the phase of the signal from the receiver andapplying the conjugate of the receive parameters to the antenna elementsfor transmission.

In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at differentfrequencies to avoid power losses during wireless power transmission.This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antennaelements in transmitter 1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency maybe transmitted by each antenna in the array. In other embodiments someof the antennas in the array may be used to transmit at a differentfrequency. For example, ½ of the antennas in the array may operate at2.4 GHz while the other ½ may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, ⅓of the antennas in the array may operate at 900 MHz, another ⅓ mayoperate at 2.4 GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operateat 5.8 GHz.

In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may be virtuallydivided into one or more antenna elements during wireless powertransmission, where each set of antenna elements in the array cantransmit at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element ofthe transmitter may transmit power transmission signals at 2.4 GHz, buta corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured toreceive power transmission signals at 5.8 GHz. In this example, aprocessor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna element of thetransmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in thearray into a plurality patches that may be fed independently. As aresult, ¼ of the array of antenna elements may be able to transmit the5.8 GHz needed for the receiver, while another set of antenna elementsmay transmit at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by virtually dividing an array ofantenna elements, electronic devices coupled to receivers can continueto receive wireless power transmission. The foregoing may be beneficialbecause, for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about2.4 GHz and other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8 GHz, and thus,adjusting a number of antenna elements in a given array when workingwith receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, thearray is divided into equal sets of antenna elements (e.g., four antennaelements), but the array may be divided into sets of different amountsof antenna elements. In an alternative embodiment, each antenna elementmay alternate between select frequencies.

The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount ofpower that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function ofthe total number of antenna elements 1006 used in a given receivers andtransmitters system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while atransmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identicalwireless power transmission system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) mayinclude a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitterwith about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antennaelements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antennaelements in a transmitter. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial toput a greater number of antenna elements in transmitters than in areceivers because of cost, because there will be much fewer transmittersthan receivers in a system-wide deployment. However, the opposite can beachieved, e.g., by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on atransmitter as long as there are at least two antenna elements in atransmitter 1002B.

II. Transmitters—Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

Transmitters may be responsible for the pocket-forming, adaptivepocket-forming and multiple pocket-forming using the componentsdescribed below. Transmitters may transmit wireless power transmissionsignals to receivers in the form of any physical media capable ofpropagating through space and being converted into useable electricalenergy; examples may include RF waves, infrared, acoustics,electromagnetic fields, and ultrasound. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that power transmission signals may be most anyradio signal, having any frequency or wavelength. Transmitters aredescribed within with reference to RF transmissions, only as an example,and not to limit the scope to RF transmission only.

Transmitters may be located in number of locations, surfaces, mountings,or embedded structures, such as, desks, tables, floors, walls, and thelike. In some cases, transmitters may be located in a client computingplatforms, which may be any computing device comprising processors andsoftware modules capable of executing the processes and tasks describedherein. Non-limiting examples of client computing platforms may includea desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tabletcomputing platform, a netbook, a smartphone, a gaming console, and/orother computing platforms. In other embodiments, the client computingplatforms may be a variety of electronic computing devices. In suchembodiments, each of the client computing platforms may have distinctoperating systems, and/or physical components. The client computingplatforms may be executing the same operating system and/or the clientcomputing platforms may be executing different operating systems. Theclient computing platforms and or devices may be capable of executingmultiple operating systems. In addition, box transmitters may containseveral arrangements of printed circuit board (PCB) layers, which may beoriented in X, Y, or Z axis, or in any combination of these.

It should be appreciated that wireless charging techniques are notlimited to RF wave transmission techniques, but may include alternativeor additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiverconverting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limitingexemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by areceiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound,microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light,infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case ofultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposedso as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves towarda receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts themto electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magneticfields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and convertedby a receiver coil into electrical power.

A. Components of Transmitter Devices

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a system 1100 architecture forwirelessly charging client devices, according to an exemplaryembodiment. The system 1100 may comprise a transmitter 1101 and areceiver 1120 that may each comprise an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The transmitter 1101 ASIC may include one or moreprinted circuit boards (PCB) 1104, one or more antenna elements 1106,one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) 1108, one or moremicrocontrollers (MCs) 1110, a communication component 1112, a powersource 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be encased in a housing, which mayallocate all the requested components for transmitter 1101. Componentsin transmitter 1101 may be manufactured using meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials.It should be obvious to someone skilled in the art that the entiretransmitter or the entire receiver can be implemented on a singlecircuit board, as well as having one or more of the functional blocksimplemented in separate circuit boards.

1. Printed Circuit Boards

In some implementations, the transmitter 1101 may include a plurality ofPCB 1104 layers, which may include antenna element 1106 and/or RFIC 1108for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increaseresponse for targeting receivers. The PCB 1104 may mechanically supportand electrically connect the electronic component described herein usingconductive tracks, pads and/or other features etched from copper sheetslaminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs may be single sided (onecopper layer), double sided (two copper layers), and/or multi-layer.Multiple PCB 1104 layers may increase the range and the amount of powerthat could be transferred by transmitter 1101. PCB 1104 layers may beconnected to a single MC 1110 and/or to dedicated MCs 1110. Similarly,RFIC 1108 may be connected to antenna element 1106 as depicted in theforegoing embodiments.

In some implementations, a box transmitter, including a plurality of PCB1104 layers inside it may include antenna element 1108 for providinggreater control over pocket-forming and may increase the response fortargeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmissionmay be increased by the box transmitter. Multiple PCB 1104 layers mayincrease the range and the amount of power waves (e.g., RF power waves,ultrasound waves) that could be transferred and/or broadcastedwirelessly by transmitter 1101 due the higher density of antenna element1106. The PCB 1104 layers may be connected to a single microcontroller1110 and/or to dedicated microcontroller 1110 for each antenna element1106. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may control antenna element 1101 as depictedin the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter 1101may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission.

2. Antenna Elements

Antenna element 1106 may be directional and/or omni-directional andinclude flat antenna elements, patch antenna elements, dipole antennaelements, and any other suitable antenna for wireless powertransmission. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patchantennas with heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widthsfrom about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation ofantenna element 1106 may vary in dependency of the desired features oftransmitter 1101; orientation may be flat in X, Y, and Z axis, as wellas various orientation types and combinations in three dimensionalarrangements. Antenna element 1106 materials may include any suitablematerial that may allow RF signal transmission with high efficiency,good heat dissipation and the like. The amount of antenna elements 1106may vary in relation with the desired range and power transmissioncapability on transmitter 1101; the more antenna elements 1106, thewider range and higher power transmission capability.

Antenna element 1106 may include suitable antenna types for operating infrequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequencybands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulationspart 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment). Antenna element1106 may operate in independent frequencies, allowing a multichanneloperation of pocket-forming.

In addition, antenna element 1106 may have at least one polarization ora selection of polarizations. Such polarization may include verticalpolarization, horizontal polarization, circularly polarized, left handpolarized, right hand polarized, or a combination of polarizations. Theselection of polarizations may vary in dependency of transmitter 1101characteristics. In addition, antenna element 1106 may be located invarious surfaces of transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1106 may operatein single array, pair array, quad array and any other suitablearrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desiredapplication.

In some implementations, the entire side of the printed circuit boardPCB 1104 may be closely packed with antenna element 1106. The RFIC 1108may connect to multiple antenna elements 1106. Multiple antenna elements1106 may surround a single RFIC 1108.

3. Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits

The RFIC 1108 may receive an RF signal from the MC 1110, and split theRF signal into multiple outputs, each output linked to an antennaelement 1106. For example, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to fourantenna elements 1106. In some implementations, each RFIC 1108 may beconnected to eight, sixteen, and/or multiple antenna elements 1106.

The RFIC 1104 may include a plurality of RF circuits that may includedigital and/or analog components, such as, amplifiers, capacitors,oscillators, piezoelectric crystals and the like. RFIC 1104 may controlfeatures of antenna element 1106, such as gain and/or phase forpocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and thelike. The phase and the amplitude of pocket-forming in each antennaelement 1106 may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC 1108 in order togenerate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. Inaddition, RFIC 1108 may be connected to MC 1110, which may utilizedigital signal processing (DSP), ARM, PIC-Class microprocessor, centralprocessing unit, computer, and the like. The lower number of RFICs 1108present in the transmitter 1101 may correspond to desired features suchas lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels ofgranularity, and a less expensive embodiment. In some implementations,RFIC 1108 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1110, and MC 1110 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1101.

In some implementations of transmitter 1101, the phase and the amplitudeof each pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be regulated bythe corresponding RFIC 1108 in order to generate the desiredpocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1108 singled coupledto each antenna element 1106 may reduce processing requirement and mayincrease control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-formingand a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC 1110, and ahigher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may beallowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher numberof receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC 1108 and antenna element 1106 may operate in any suitablearrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desiredapplication. For example, transmitter 1101 may include antenna element1106 and RFIC 1108 in a flat arrangement. A subset of 4, 8, 16, and/orany number of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single RFIC1108. RFIC 1108 may be directly embedded behind each antenna element1106; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distancebetween components. In some implementations, a row or column of antennaelements 1106 may be connected to a single MC 1110. RFIC 1108 connectedto each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter 1101 thatmay produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows orcolumns. In some implementations, the RFIC 1108 may output between 2-8volts of power for the receiver 1120 to obtain.

In some implementations, a cascade arrangement of RFICs 1108 may beimplemented. A flat transmitter 1101 using a cascade arrangement ofRFICs 1108 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers 1106, as well as a higherreliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy ofRFICs 1108.

4. Microcontrollers

The MC 1110 may comprise a processor running ARM and/or DSP. ARM is afamily of general purpose microprocessors based on a reduced instructionset computing (RISC). A DSP is a general purpose signal processing chipmay provide a mathematical manipulation of an information signal tomodify or improve it in some way, and can be characterized by therepresentation of discrete time, discrete frequency, and/or otherdiscrete domain signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and theprocessing of these signals. DSP may measure, filter, and/or compresscontinuous real-world analog signals. The first step may be conversionof the signal from an analog to a digital form, by sampling and thendigitizing it using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which mayconvert the analog signal into a stream of discrete digital values. TheMC 1110 may also run Linux and/or any other operating system. The MC1110 may also be connected to Wi-Fi in order to provide informationthrough a network 1140.

MC 1110 may control a variety of features of RFIC 1108 such as, timeemission of pocket-forming, direction of the pocket-forming, bounceangle, power intensity and the like. Furthermore, MC 1110 may controlmultiple pocket-forming over multiple receivers or over a singlereceiver. Transmitter 1101 may allow distance discrimination of wirelesspower transmission. In addition, MC 1110 may manage and controlcommunication protocols and signals by controlling communicationcomponent 1112. MC 1110 may process information received bycommunication component 1112 that may send and receive signals to andfrom a receiver in order to track it and concentrate radio frequencysignals 1142 (i.e., pockets of energy) on it. Other information may betransmitted from and to receiver 1120; such information may includeauthentication protocols among others through a network 1140.

The MC 1110 may communicate with the communication component 1112through serial peripheral interface (SPI) and/or inter-integratedcircuit (I²C) protocol. SPI communication may be used for shortdistance, single master communication, for example in embedded systems,sensors, and SD cards. Devices communicate in master/slave mode wherethe master device initiates the data frame. Multiple slave devices areallowed with individual slave select lines. I²C is a multi-master,multi-slave, single-ended, serial computer bus used for attachinglow-speed peripherals to computer motherboards and embedded systems

5. Communications Component

Communication component 1112 may include and combine Bluetoothtechnology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio among others. MC1110 may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming,including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming inorder to reduce losses because obstacles. Such trajectory may includedirect pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination ofpocket-forming. In some implementations, the communication component1112 may communicate with a plurality of devices, which may includereceivers 1120, client devices, or other transmitters 1101.

6. Power Source

Transmitters 1101 may be fed by a power source 1114 that may include ACor DC power supply. Voltage, power, and current intensity provided bypower source 1114 may vary in dependency with the required power to betransmitted. Conversion of power to radio signal may be managed by MC1110 and carried out by RFIC 1108 that may utilize a plurality ofmethods and components to produce radio signals in a wide variety offrequencies, wavelength, intensities, and other features. As anexemplary use of a variety of methods and components for radio signalgeneration, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to createand change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 1106. Inaddition, a variety of filters may be used for smoothing signals as wellas amplifiers for increasing power to be transmitted.

Transmitter 1101 may emit RF power waves that are pocket-forming with apower capability from few watts to a predetermined number of wattsrequired by a particular chargeable electronic device. Each antenna maymanage a certain power capacity. Such power capacity may be related withthe application

7. Housing

In addition to a housing, an independent base station may include MC1110 and power source 1114, thus, several transmitters 1101 may bemanaged by a single base station and a single MC 1110. Such capabilitymay allow the location of transmitters 1101 in a variety of strategicpositions, such as ceiling, decorations, walls, and the like. Antennaelements 1106, RFIC 1108, MC 1110, communication component 1112, andpower source 1114 may be connected in a plurality of arrangements andcombinations, which may depend on the desired characteristics oftransmitter 1101.

B. Exemplary Method of Transmitting Power

FIG. 12 is a method for determining receiver location 1200 using antennaelement. Method for determining receiver location 1200 may be a set ofprogrammed rules or logic managed by MC. The process may begin step 1201by capturing first signal with a first subset of antennas from theantenna array. The process may follow immediately by switching to adifferent subset of antenna element and capturing, at a next step 1203,a second signal with a second subset of antennas. For example, a firstsignal may be captured with a row of antennas and the second capturingmay be done with a column of antennas. A row of antennas may provide ahorizontal degree orientation such an azimuth in a spherical coordinatesystem. A column of antennas may provide a vertical degree orientationsuch as elevation. Antenna elements used for capturing first signal andcapturing second signal may be aligned in straight, vertical,horizontal, or diagonal orientation. The first subset and second subsetof antennas may be aligned in a cross like structure in order to coverdegrees around transmitter.

Once both vertical and horizontal values have been measured, the MC may,in a next step 1205, determine the appropriate values of phase and gainfor the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capture thesignal. Appropriate values for phase and gain may be determined by therelationship of the position of the receiver to the antenna. The valuesmay be used by MC in order to adjust antenna elements to form pockets ofenergy that may be used by a receiver in order to charge an electronicdevice.

Data pertaining to initial values of all antenna elements in transmittermay be calculated and stored previously for use by MC in order to assistin the calculation of appropriate values for antenna elements. In a nextstep, 1207, after the appropriate values for the vertical and horizontalantennas used for capturing the signal have been determined, the processmay continue by using the stored data to determine appropriate valuesfor all the antennas in the array. Stored data may contain initial testvalues of phase and gain for all antenna elements in the array atdifferent frequencies. Different sets of data may be stored fordifferent frequencies and MC may select the appropriate data setaccordingly. In a next step 1209, MC may then adjust all antennasthrough RFIC in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriatelocations.

C. Array Subset Configuration

FIG. 13A illustrates an example embodiment of an array subsetconfiguration 1300A that may be used in method for determining receiverlocation. Transmitter may include an array of antennas 1306A. A row ofantennas 1368A may be used first for capturing a signal sent by areceiver. Row of antennas 1368A may then transfer the signal to theRFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to a digitalsignal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determineappropriate adjustments for phase and gain in row of antennas 1368A inorder to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based onthe receiver locations. A second signal may be captured by a column ofantennas 1370A. Column of antennas 1370A may then transfer the signal tothe RFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to adigital signal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determineappropriate adjustments for phase and gain in column of antennas 1370Ain order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based onthe receiver locations. Once the appropriate adjustments have beendetermined for row of antennas 1368A and column of antennas 1370A MC maydetermine the appropriate values for the rest of antenna elements 1306Ain array of antennas 1368A by using previously stored data about theantennas and adjusting accordingly with the results from row of antennas1368A and column of antennas 1370A.

D. Configurations for Transmitters, Transmitter Components, AntennaTiles, and Systems Related to Transmitters

1. Exemplary System

FIG. 13B illustrates another example embodiment of an array subsetconfiguration 1300B. In array subset configuration 1300B, both initialsignals are captured by two diagonal subsets of antennas. The processfollows the same path, such that each subset is adjusted accordingly.Based on adjustments made and the previously stored data, the rest ofantenna elements 1306B in array of antennas are adjusted.

2. Flat Transmitter

FIG. 14 depicts a flat transmitter 1402 in a front view and a severalembodiments of rear views. Transmitter 1402 may include antenna element1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. RFIC 1408 may be directlyembedded behind each antenna element 1406; such integration may reducelosses due the shorter distance between components.

In one embodiment (i.e., View 1) in transmitter 1402, the phase and theamplitude of the pocket-forming for each antenna element 1406 may beregulated by the corresponding RFIC 1408 in order to generate thedesired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1408 singledcoupled to each antenna element 1406 may reduce processing requirementand may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiplepocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load overMC 1410; thus, a higher response of higher number of multiplepocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming maycharge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory tosuch receivers. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 maybe coupled to one or more MCs 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1402.

In another embodiment (i.e., View 2), a subset of 4 antenna elements1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408. The lower number of RFICs1408 present in the transmitter 1402 may correspond to desired featuressuch as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels ofgranularity and a. less expensive embodiment. As described in theembodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1410,and microcontroller 1410 may be included into an independent basestation or into the transmitter 1402.

In yet another embodiment (i.e., View 3), transmitter 1402 may includeantenna element 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A row orcolumn of antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single MC 1410.The lower number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 1402 maycorrespond to desired features such as: lower control of multiplepocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensiveembodiment. RFIC 1408 connected to each row or column may allow a lessexpensive transmitter 1402, which may produce pocket-forming by changingphase and gain between rows or columns. As described in the embodimentof FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1410, andmicrocontroller 1410 may be included into an independent base station orinto the transmitter 1402.

In some embodiments (i.e., View 4), transmitter 1402 may include antennaelement 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A cascade arrangementis depicted in this exemplary embodiment. Two antenna elements 1406 maybe connected to a single RFIC 1408 and this in turn to a single RFIC1408, which may be connected to a final RFIC 1408 and this in turn toone or more MCs 1410. Flat transmitter 1402 using a cascade arrangementof RFICs 1408 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higherreliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy ofRFICs 1408. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may becoupled to one or more MCs 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1402.

3. Multiple Printed Circuit Board Layers

FIG. 15A depicts a transmitter 1502A, which may include a plurality ofPCB layers 1204A that may include antenna element 1506A for providinggreater control over pocket-forming and may increase response fortargeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers 1504A may increase the rangeand the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter 1502A.PCB layers 1504A may be connected to a single MC or to dedicated MC.Similarly, RFIC may be connected antenna element 1506A as depicted inthe foregoing embodiments. RFIC may be coupled to one or more MCs.Furthermore, MCs may be included into an independent base station orinto the transmitter 1502A.

4. Box Transmitter

FIG. 15B depicts a box transmitter 1502B, which may include a pluralityof PCB layers 1504B inside it, which may include antenna element 1506Bfor providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increaseresponse for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless powertransmission may be increased by the box transmitter 1502B. Multiple PCBlayers 1504B may increase the range and the amount of RF power wavesthat could be transferred or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter 1502Bdue the higher density of antenna element 1506B. PCB layers 1504B may beconnected to a single MC or to dedicated MC for each antenna element1506B. Similarly, RFIC may control antenna element 1506B as depicted inthe foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter 800 mayincrease action ratio of wireless power transmission; thus, boxtransmitter 1502B may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as,desks, tables, floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter 1502Bmay comprise several arrangements of PCB layers 1504B, which may beoriented in X, Y, and Z axis, or any combination these. The RFIC may, becoupled to one or more MCs. Furthermore, MCs may be included into anindependent base station or into the transmitter 1502B.

5. Irregular Arrays for Various Types of Products

FIG. 16 depicts a diagram of architecture 1600 for incorporatingtransmitter 1602 into different devices. For example, the flattransmitter 1602 may be applied to the frame of a television 1646 oracross the frame of a sound bar 1648. Transmitter 1602 may includemultiple tiles 1650 with antenna elements and RFICs in a flatarrangement. The RFIC may be directly embedded behind each antennaelements; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distancebetween components.

For example, a television 1646 may have a bezel around a television1646, comprising multiple tiles 1650, each tile comprising of a certainnumber of antenna elements. For example, if there are 20 tiles 1650around the bezel of the television 1646, each tile 1650 may have 24antenna elements and/or any number of antenna elements.

In tile 1650, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in eachantenna element may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC in order togenerate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFICsingled coupled to each antenna element may reduce processingrequirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowingmultiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with lessload over microcontroller, thus, a higher response of higher number ofmultiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiplepocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow abetter trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC may be coupled to one or more microcontrollers, and themicrocontrollers may be included into an independent base station orinto the tiles 1650 in the transmitter 1602. A row or column of antennaelements may be connected to a single microcontroller. In someimplementations, the lower number of RFICs present in the transmitters1602 may correspond to desired features such as: lower control ofmultiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a lessexpensive embodiment. RFICs connected to each row or column may allowreduce costs by having fewer components because fewer RFICs are requiredto control each of the transmitters 1602. The RFICs may producepocket-forming power transmission waves by changing phase and gain,between rows or columns.

In some implementations, the transmitter 1602 may use a cascadearrangement of tiles 1650 comprising RFICs that may provide greatercontrol over pocket-forming and may increase response for targetingreceivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may beachieved from multiple redundancies of RFICs.

In one embodiment, a plurality of PCB layers, including antennaelements, may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers mayincrease the range and the amount of power that could be transferred bytransmitter 1602. PCB layers may be connected to a singlemicrocontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers. Similarly, RFIC may beconnected to antenna elements.

A box transmitter 1602 may include a plurality of PCB layers inside it,which may include antenna elements for providing greater control overpocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers.Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased bythe box transmitter 1602. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range andthe amount of RF power waves that could be transferred or broadcastedwirelessly by transmitter 1602 due the higher density of antennaelements. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or todedicated microcontrollers for each antenna element. Similarly, RFIC maycontrol antenna elements. The box shape of transmitter 1602 may increaseaction ratio of wireless power transmission. Thus, box transmitter 1602may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as, desks, tables,floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter may comprise severalarrangements of PCB layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, and Z axis,or any combination these.

6. Plurality of Antenna Elements

FIG. 17 is an example of a transmitter configuration 1700 that includesa plurality of antenna elements 1706. Antenna element 1706 may form anarray by arranging rows of antennas 1768 and columns of antennas 1770.Transmitter configuration may include at least one RFIC 1708 to controlfeatures of antenna element 1706, such as gain and/or phase forpocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and thelike. The array of antenna elements 1706 may be connected to a MC 1710,which may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming,including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming inorder to reduce losses because of obstacles. Such trajectory may includedirect pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination ofpocket-forming.

A transmitter device may utilize antenna element 1706 to determine thelocation of a receiver in order to determine how to adjust antennaelement 1706 to form pockets of energy in the appropriate location. Areceiver may send a train signal to transmitter in order to provideinformation. The train signal may be any conventional know signals thatmay be detected by antenna element 1706. The signal sent by receiver maycontain information such as phase and gain.

III. Receivers—Systems and Methods for Receiving and Utilizing WirelessPower Transmissions

A. Components of Receiver Devices

Returning to FIG. 11, which illustrates a diagram of a system 1100architecture for wirelessly charging client devices, according to anexemplary embodiment, the system 1100 may comprise transmitter 1101 andreceivers 1120 that may each comprise an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The ASIC of the receivers 1120 may include a printedcircuit board 1122, an antenna element 1124, a rectifier 1126, a powerconverter 1129, a communications component 1130, and/or a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC) 1132. Receivers 1120 may alsocomprise a housing that may allocate all the requested components. Thevarious components of receivers 1120 may comprise, or may bemanufactured using, meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits,nano-materials, and the like.

1. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements 1124 may include suitable antenna types for operatingin frequency bands similar to the bands described for antenna elements1106 of a transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1124 may include vertical orhorizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization,elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well assuitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can bebeneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientationduring usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time,for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, fordevices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed videogame controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas,which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a givenpolarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas withheights from about 118 inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may have the advantage thatpolarization may depend on connectivity, i.e., depending on which sidethe patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further proveadvantageous as a receiver, such as receiver 1120, may dynamicallymodify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission.Different antenna, rectifier, or power converter arrangements arepossible for a receiver, as is described in the embodiments herein.

2. Rectifiers

A rectifier 1126 may convert alternating current (AC), whichperiodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which takesnon-negative values. Because of the alternating nature of the input ACsine wave, the process of rectification alone produces a DC currentthat, though non-negative, consists of pulses of current. The output ofthe rectifier may be smoothed by an electronic filter to produce asteady current. The rectifier 1126 may include diodes and/or resistors,inductors and/or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC)voltage generated by antenna element 1124 to direct current (DC)voltage.

In some implementations, the rectifier 1126 may be a full-waverectifier. A full-wave rectifier may convert the whole of the inputwaveform to one of constant polarity (positive or negative) at itsoutput. Full-wave rectification may convert both polarities of the inputwaveform to pulsating DC (direct current), and yield a higher averageoutput voltage. Two diodes and a center tapped transformer and/or fourdiodes in a bridge configuration and any AC source (including atransformer without center tap) may be utilized for a full-waverectifier. For single-phase AC, if the transformer is center-tapped,then two diodes back-to-back (cathode-to-cathode or anode-to-anode,depending upon output polarity required) may be utilized to form afull-wave rectifier. Twice as many turns may be required on thetransformer secondary to obtain the same output voltage than for abridge rectifier, but the power rating is unchanged. Rectifier 1126 maybe placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element 1124 tominimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may beregulated using power converter 1129.

3. Power Converters

Power converter 1129 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide aconstant voltage output and/or to help boost the voltage to the receiver1120. In some implementations, the DC-to-DC converter may be a maximumpower point tracker (MPPT). A MPPT is an electronic DC-to-DC converterthat converts a higher voltage DC output down to the lower voltageneeded to charge batteries. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter 1129 mayinclude electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converters, which can providehigh efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor may be included beforepower converter 1129 to ensure sufficient current is provided for theswitching device to operate. When charging an electronic device, forexample a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that canexceed the minimum level of power needed to activate the operation of anelectronic switched mode DC-to-DC converter, may be required. In such acase, a capacitor may be added at the output of receiver 1120 to providethe extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided, asrequired to provide the appropriate amount electric current; forexample, 1/80 of the total initial power used while having the phone orlaptop still building-up charge.

In one embodiment, multiple rectifiers 1126 can be connected in parallelto antenna element 1124. For example, four rectifiers 1126 may beconnected in parallel to antenna element 1124. However, several morerectifiers 1126 can be used. This arrangement may be advantageousbecause each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle ¼ of the totalpower. If one watt is to be delivered to an electronic device, then eachrectifier 1126 may only need to handle a quarter of a watt. Thearrangement may greatly diminish cost because using a plurality oflow-power rectifiers 1126 can be cheaper than utilizing one high-powerrectifier 1126 while handling the same amount of power. In someembodiments, the total power handled by rectifier 1126 can be combinedinto a power converter 1129. In other embodiments, there may a powerconverter 1129 per each rectifier 1126.

In other embodiments, multiple antenna elements 1124 may be connected inparallel to a rectifier 1126, after which DC voltage may be regulatedthrough a power converter 1129. In this example, four antenna elements1124 may be connected in parallel to a single rectifier 1126. Thisarrangement may be advantageous because each antenna element 1124 mayonly handle ¼ of the total power. In addition, the arrangement mayenable usage of antenna element 1124 of different polarizations with asingle rectifier 1126 because signals may not cancel each other. Becauseof the foregoing property, the arrangement may be suitable forelectronic client devices with an orientation that is not well-definedor otherwise varies over time. Lastly, the arrangement may be beneficialwhen using antenna element 1124 of equal polarization and configured forphases that do not differ greatly. In some embodiments, however, therecan be a rectifier 1126 per antenna element 1124 and/or multiplerectifiers 1126 per antenna element 1124.

In an exemplary implementation, an arrangement where multiple antennaelements 1124 outputs can be combined and connected to parallelrectifiers 1126 whose output may further be combined in one powerconverter 1129 may be implemented. There may be 16 antenna elements 1124whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers 1126. In otherembodiments, antenna elements 1124 may be subdivided into groups (offour for example) and may connect to independent rectifiers 1126.

In yet another embodiment, an arrangement where groups of antennaelements 1124 may be connected to different rectifiers 1126 which may inturn also be connected to different power converters 1129 may beimplemented. In this embodiment, four groups of antenna elements 1124(each containing four antenna elements 1124 in parallel) may eachconnect independently to four rectifiers 1126. In this embodiment, theoutput of each rectifier 1126 may connect directly to a power converter1129 (four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all fourrectifiers 1126 can be combined before each power converter 1129 tohandle the total power in parallel. In some embodiments, the combinedoutputs of each rectifier 1126 may connect to a single power converter1129. This arrangement may be beneficial in that it allows greatproximity between rectifier 1126 and antenna element 1124. This propertymay be desirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

4. Communications Component

A communications component 1130, similar to that of transmitter 1101,may be included in receiver 1120 to communicate with a transmitter or toother electronic equipment. In some implementations, receiver 1120 canuse a built-in communications component of the device (for example,Bluetooth) for communicating to a given transmitter 1120 based onrequirements provided by processor such as battery level, userpredefined charging profile or others transmitters 1101 may include oneor more printed circuit boards (PCB) 1104, one or more antenna elements1106, one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) 1108, oneor more microcontrollers (MCs) 1110, a communication component 1112, anda power source 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be encased in a housing,which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter 1101.Components in transmitter 1101 may be manufactured using meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials.The types of information communicated by the communications componentsbetween the receiver and the transmitter include but not limited to thepresent power levels in the batteries, signal strength and power levelbeing received at the receiver, timing information, phase and gaininformation, user identification, client device privileges, securityrelated signaling, emergency signaling, and authentication exchanges,among other things.

5. PMICs

A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 1132 is an integratedcircuit and/or a system block in a system-on-a-chip device for managingpower requirements of the host system. The PMIC 1132 may include batterymanagement, voltage regulation, and charging functions. It may include aDC-to-DC converter to allow dynamic voltage scaling. In someimplementations, the PMIC 1132 may provide up to a 95% power conversionefficiency. In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may integrate withdynamic frequency scaling in a combination. The PMIC 1132 may beimplemented in a battery-operated device such as mobile phones and/orportable media players. In some implementations, the battery may bereplaced with an input capacitor and an output capacitor. The PMIC 1132may be directly connected to the battery and/or capacitors. When thebattery is being charged directly, a capacitor may not be implemented.In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may be coiled around the battery.The PMIC 1132 may comprise a power management chip (PMC) that acts as abattery charger, and is connected to the battery. The PMIC 1132 can usepulse-frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse-width modulation (PWM). Itcan use switching amplifier (Class-D electronic amplifier). In someimplementations, an output converter, a rectifier, and/or a BLE may alsobe included in the PMIC 1132.

6. Housing

Housing can be made of any suitable material that may allow for signalor wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hardrubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added todifferent electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or canbe embedded within electronic equipment as well.

7. Network

The network 1140 may comprise any common communication architecture thatfacilitates communication between transmitter 1101 and the receiver1120. One having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that thenetwork 1140 may be the Internet, a private intranet, or some hybrid ofthe two. It should also be obvious to one skilled in the art that thenetwork components may be implemented in dedicated processing equipment,or alternatively in a cloud processing network.

B. Configurations for Receivers, Receiver Components, and SystemsRelated to Receivers

1. Multiple Rectifiers Connected in Parallel to an Antenna Element

FIG. 18A illustrates an arrangement 1800A where multiple rectifiers1826A can be connected in parallel to an antenna element 1824A. In thisexample, four rectifiers 1826A may be connected in parallel to anantenna elements 1824A. However, several more rectifiers 1826A may beused. Arrangement 1800A may be advantageous because each rectifier 1826Amay only need to handle ¼ of the total power. If one watt is to bedelivered to an electronic device, then each rectifier 1826F may onlyneed to handle a quarter of a watt. Arrangement 1800A may greatlydiminish cost because using a plurality of low-power rectifiers 1826Acan be cheaper than utilizing one high-power rectifier 1826A whilehandling the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total powerhandled by rectifier 1826A can be combined into one DC-DC converter1828A. In other embodiments, there may a DC-DC converter 1828A perrectifier 1826A.

2. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to a Rectifier

FIG. 18B illustrates an arrangement 1800B where multiple antennaelements 1824B may be connected in parallel to a rectifier 1826B, afterwhich DC voltage may be regulated through a DC-DC converter 1828B. Inthis example, four antenna elements 1824B may be connected in parallelto a single rectifier 1826B. Arrangement 1800B may be advantageousbecause each antenna element 1824B may only handle ¼ of the total power.In addition, arrangement 1800B may enable usage of antenna element 1824Bof different polarizations with a single rectifier 1826B because signalsmay not cancel each other. Because of the foregoing property,arrangement 1800B may be suitable for electronic devices with anorientation that is not well-defined or otherwise varies over time.Lastly, arrangement 1800B may be beneficial when using antenna element1824B of equal polarization and configured for phases that do not differgreatly. In some embodiments, however, there can be a rectifier 1826Bper antenna element 1824B or multiple rectifiers 1826B (as described inFIG. 18A) per antenna element 1824B.

3. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to MultipleRectifiers

FIG. 19A illustrates an arrangement 1900A where multiple antennaelements 1924A outputs can be combined and connected to parallelrectifier 1926A whose output may further be combined in one DC converter1928A. Arrangement 1900A shows, by way of exemplification, 16 antennaelements 1924A whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers1926A. In other embodiments, antenna elements 1924A may be subdivided ingroups (e.g., four groups) and may connect to independent rectifiers asshown in FIG. 19B below.

4. Permutations of Groupings

FIG. 19B illustrates an arrangement 1900B where groups of antennaelements 1624B may be connected to different rectifiers 1926B, which mayin turn also be connected to different DC converters 1928B. Inarrangement 1900B, four groups of antenna elements 1924B (eachcontaining four antenna elements 1924B in parallel) may each connectindependently to four rectifiers 1926B. In this embodiment, the outputof each rectifiers 1926B may connect directly to a DC converter 1928B(four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all four rectifiers1926B can be combined, before each DC converter 1928B, to handle thetotal power in parallel. In other embodiments, the combined outputs ofeach rectifier 1926B may connect to a single DC converter 1928B.Arrangement 1900B may be beneficial in that it allows great proximitybetween rectifier 1926B and antenna element 1924B. This property may bedesirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

A receiver may be implemented on, connected to or embedded in electronicdevices or equipment that may rely on power for performing its intendedfunctions, for example a phone, laptop computer, a television remote, achildren's toys or any other such devices. A receiver utilizingpocket-forming can be used to fully charge a device's battery whilebeing “On” or “Off,” or while being used or not. In addition, batterylifetime can be greatly enhanced. For example, a device operating on twowatts utilizing a receiver that may deliver one watt may increase itsbattery duration up to about 50%. Lastly, some devices currently runningon batteries can fully be powered using a receiver after which a batterymay no longer be required. This last property may be beneficial fordevices where replacing batteries can be tedious or hard to accomplishsuch as in wall-clocks. Embodiments below provide some examples of howintegration of receivers may be carried out on electronic devices.

5. Embedded Receiver

FIG. 20A illustrates an implementation scheme where a device 2000A thatmay represent a typical phone, computer or other electronic device mayinclude an embedded receiver 2020A. Device 2000A may also include apower source, a communications component 2030A, and a processor.Receiver 2020A way utilize pocket-forming for providing power to powersource from device 2000A. In addition, receiver 2020A can use built-incommunications component 2030A of device 2000A (for example, Bluetooth)for communicating to a given transmitter based on requirements providedby processor such as battery level, user predefined charging profile orothers.

6. Battery with an embedded receiver

FIG. 20B illustrates another implementation scheme where a device 2000Bmay include a battery with an embedded receiver 2020B. Battery mayreceive power wirelessly through pocket-forming and may charge throughits embedded receiver 2020B. Battery may function as a supply for powersource, or may function as back-up supply. This configuration may beadvantageous in that battery may not need to be removed for charging.This may particularly be helpful in gaming controllers, or gamingdevices where batteries, typically AA or AAA may be continuouslyreplaced.

7. External Communication Component

FIG. 20C illustrates an alternate implementation scheme 2000C wherereceiver 2020C and a communications component 2030C may be included inan external hardware that may be attached to a device. Hardware can takeappropriate forms such as cases that may be placed on phones, computers,remote controllers and others, which may connect thorough suitableinterfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In other embodiments,hardware may be printed on flexible films, which may then be pasted orotherwise attached to electronic equipment. This option may beadvantageous as it may be produced at low cost and can easily beintegrated into various devices. As in previous embodiments, acommunications component 2030C may be included in hardware that mayprovide communication to a transmitter or to electronic equipment ingeneral.

8. Casing or Housing of Receiver connecting to USB

FIG. 21A illustrates hardware in the form of case including a receiver2102A that may connect through flex cables or USB to a smartphone and/orany other electronic device. In other embodiments, the housing or casecan be a computer case, phone case, and/or camera case among other suchoptions.

9. PCB on Printed Film

FIG. 21B illustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexibleprinted circuit board (PCB) which may include a plurality of printedreceivers 2102B. Printed film can be pasted or otherwise attached toelectronic devices and can connect trough suitable interfaces such asUSB. Printed film may be advantageous in that sections can be cut fromit to meet specific electronic device sizes and/or requirements. Theefficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount of powerthat can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function of thetotal number of antenna elements used in a given receiver andtransmitter system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while atransmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identicalwireless power transmission system (about 1 watt, at about 15 feet) mayinclude a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitterwith about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antennaelements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antennaelements in a transmitter. In some cases, it may be cost-effective toput a greater number of antenna elements in a transmitter than in areceiver. However, the opposite can be achieved by placing more antennaelements on a receiver than on a transmitter, as long as there are atleast two antenna elements in a transmitter.

IV. Antenna Hardware and Functionality

A. Spacing Configuration

FIG. 22 illustrates internal hardware, where receiver 2220 may be usedfor receiving wireless power transmission in an electronic device 2252(e.g., smartphone). In some implementations, the electronic device 2252may include receiver 2220, which may be embedded around the internaledge of the case 2254 (e.g., smartphone case) of the electronic device2252. In other embodiments, the receiver 2220 may be implementedcovering the back side of the case 2254. The case 2254 may be one ormore of: a smartphone cover, a laptop cover, camera cover, GPS cover, agame controller cover and/or tablet cover, among other such options. Thecase 2254 may be made out of plastic, rubber and/or any other suitablematerial.

Receiver 2220 may include an array of antenna elements 2224strategically distributed on the grid area shown in FIG. 22. The case2254 may include an array of antenna elements 2224 located around theedges and/or along the backside of case 2254 for optimal reception. Thenumber, spacing, and type of antenna elements 2224 may be calculatedaccording to the design, size, and/or type of electronic device 2252. Insome embodiments, there may be a spacing (e.g., 1 mm-4 mm) and/or ameta-material between the case 2254 containing the antenna element 2224and the electronic device 2252. The spacing and/or meta-material mayprovide additional gain for RF signals. In some implementations, themeta-materials may be used in creating a multi-layer PCB to implementinto the case 2254.

B. Metamaterial

The internal hardware may be in the form of a printed film 2256 and/orflexible PCB may include different components, such as a plurality ofprinted antenna elements 2224 (connected with each other in serial,parallel, or combined), rectifier, and power converter elements. Printedfilm 2256 may be pasted or otherwise attached to any suitable electronicdevices, such as electronic device 2252 and/or tablets. Printed film2256 may be connected through any suitable interfaces such as flexiblecables 2258. Printed film 2256 may exhibit some benefits; one of thosebenefits may be that sections can be cut from it to meet specific smartmobile device sizes and/or requirements. According to one embodiment,the spacing between antenna elements 2224 for receiver 2220 may rangefrom about 2 nm to about 12 nm, being most suitable about 7 nm.

Additionally, in some implementations, the optimal amount of antennaelements 2224 that may be used in receiver 2220 for an electronic device2252 such as a smartphone may range from about 20 to about 30. However,the amount of antenna elements 2224 within receiver 2220 may varyaccording to electronic device 2252 design and size. Antenna element2224 may be made of different conductive materials such as cooper, gold,and silver, among others. Furthermore, antenna element 2224 may beprinted, etched, or laminated onto any suitable non-conductive flexiblesubstrate, such as flexible PCB, among others. The disclosedconfiguration and orientation of antenna element 2224 may exhibit abetter reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed inthe order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the artthe steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order.Words such as “then,” “next,” and the like, are not intended to limitthe order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the readerthrough the description of the methods. Although process flow diagramsmay describe the operations as a sequential process, many of theoperations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition,the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process may correspondto a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspondto a return of the function to the calling function or the mainfunction.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware descriptionlanguages, or any combination thereof. A code segment ormachine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, asubprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a softwarepackage, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures,or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another codesegment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments,parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via anysuitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing,network transmission, etc.

The actual software code or specialized control hardware used toimplement these systems and methods is not limiting of the invention.Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods weredescribed without reference to the specific software code beingunderstood that software and control hardware can be designed toimplement the systems and methods based on the description herein.

When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable orprocessor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithmdisclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable softwaremodule that may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readablestorage medium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readablemedia includes both computer storage media and tangible storage mediathat facilitate transfer of a computer program from one place toanother. A non-transitory processor-readable storage media may be anyavailable media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such non-transitory processor-readable media maycomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othertangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program codein the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessedby a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includecompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/orinstructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and/orcomputer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computerprogram product. The preceding description of the disclosed embodimentsis provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use thepresent invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is tobe accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims andthe principles and novel features disclosed herein. While variousaspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects andembodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodimentsdisclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to belimiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a pocket of energy, themethod comprising: capturing, by a transmitter, a first signal from areceiver, wherein the first signal is captured by a first subset ofantennas of the transmitter; transmitting, by the transmitter, one ormore power transmission waves to the receiver based on data contained inthe first signal, wherein the one or more power transmission waves aretransmitted using the first subset of antennas; capturing, by thetransmitter, a second signal from the receiver, wherein the secondsignal is captured by a second subset of antennas of the transmitter;and transmitting, by the transmitter, the one or more power transmissionwaves to form a pocket of energy at a location relative to the receiverbased on the first and second signals, wherein the transmittercontinuously adjusts the first subset of antennas and the second subsetof antennas to form the pocket of energy at the location relative to thereceiver.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmittercomprises an array of antennas having one or more rows and one or morecolumns of antennas, wherein the first signal is captured with a row ofantennas of the array of the transmitter, and wherein the second signalis captured by a column of the array of the transmitter.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 2, wherein the row of antennas provides a horizontaldegree orientation in a spherical coordinate system, and wherein thecolumn of antennas provide a vertical degree orientation in thespherical coordinate system.
 4. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe first subset of antennas and the second subset of antennas arealigned in a substantially cross structure.
 5. The method according toclaim 4, wherein the first subset of antennas and the second subset ofantennas transmit power transmission waves about 360 degrees around thetransmitter.
 6. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:measuring, by the transmitter, a horizontal value associated with thelocation of the receiver based on at least one of the first signal andthe second signal; and measuring, by the transmitter, a vertical valueassociated with the location of the receiver based on at least one ofthe first signal and the second signal.
 7. The method according to claim6, further comprising: determining, by the transmitter, a value of aphase of one or more power transmission waves based on the horizontalvalue of the at least one of the first signal and the second signal; anddetermining, by the transmitter, a value of a gain of the one or morepower transmission waves based on the vertical value of the at least oneof the first signal and the second signal; and determining, by thetransmitter, the location of the receiver relative to the array ofantennas based on the value of the phase and the value of the gain. 8.The method according to claim 7, wherein the values of phase and gainare used by a microprocessor of the transmitter to adjust one or moreantennas of the transmitter to form the pocket of energy at thereceiver.
 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingestablishing, by the transmitter, a communication connection hosting oneor more wireless communications signals between the transmitter and thereceiver responsive to the transmitter receiving the first signal,wherein the one or more communications signals include the first signal.10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the communications signalscontain data indicating the location associated with the receiver, andpower level information of an electronic device associated with thereceiver.
 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmitterreceives at least one communications signal using a wirelesscommunication protocol selected from the group consisting of: Bluetooth,Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and FM radio signal, and microwaves.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: calculating, by thetransmitter, one or more initial test values of each respective antennaof the transmitter; saving, by the transmitter, the previously storeddata of the test values for use by the microprocessor to assist in thefuture calculation of appropriate values for the transmitter antennas inthe array at different frequencies.
 13. The method according to claim12, further comprising utilizing, by the transmitter, previously storeddata about the antennas for adjusting the antennas accordingly with theresults from the row of antennas and from the column of antennas. 14.The method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter furthercomprises: at least two subsets of antennas situated perpendicular withrespect to one another, wherein the first subset is configured tocapture the first signal and the second subset is configured to capturethe second signal; and non-transitory machine-readable storage mediaconfigured to store antenna configuration data indicating history ofantenna transmission configurations, wherein the transmitter isconfigured to adjust the power transmission waves based upon the signalscaptured, and store a configuration of the antennas into thenon-transitory memory.
 15. A system for three-dimensional pocket-formingin wireless power transmission, the system comprising: a transmittercomprising an array of one or more antennas configured to transmit oneor more power transmission waves, and a microprocessor configured tocontrol the array of antennas to form a pocket of energy using the oneor more power transmission waves; a receiver comprising one or moreantennas configured to receive energy from a pocket of energy generatedby transmitter, and a communications antenna transmitting one or morecommunications signals, wherein the receiver is associated with anelectronic device receiving an electrical charge from the receiver,wherein the array of antennas of the transmitter contains a first subsetof one or more antennas configured to capture a first signal generatedby the receiver; wherein the array of antennas of the transmittercontains a second subset of one or more antennas configured to capture asecond signal generated by the receiver; and wherein the microprocessoris further configured to adjust the first subset of antennas and thesecond subset of antennas to transmit the pocket of energy to thereceiver.
 16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the first signalis captured with a row of antennas and the second signal is captured bya column of antennas in the transmitter array of antennas.
 17. Thesystem according to claim 15, wherein the row of antennas provide ahorizontal degree orientation in a spherical coordinate system andwherein the column of antennas provide a vertical degree orientation inthe spherical coordinate system.
 18. The system according to claim 15,wherein the microprocessor is configured to calculate the measurementsof the horizontal and vertical values of the first and second signalsfor appropriate values of phase and gain to determine appropriate valuesfor all antennas in the transmitter array in order to adjust all of theantennas in the transmitter array.
 19. The system according to claim 15,wherein each respective transmitter is configured to operate atdifferent frequencies, power intensities, and different ranges to powerthe electronic device.
 20. An apparatus for three-dimensionalpocket-forming in wireless power transmission, the apparatus comprising:a receiver connected to an electronic device configured forcommunicating with a transmitter by generating first and second signalsrepresentative of horizontal and vertical orientation or values in aspherical system; and a first and second subset of antenna elementsconfigured for capturing the horizontal and vertical values of thereceiver for the microprocessor to calculate the corresponding values ofthe phase and gain for the vertical and horizontal antenna elements usedto capture the signals and used by the microprocessor to adjust antennaelements of the transmitter for forming a pocket of energy used by thereceiver to power the electronic device.
 21. The apparatus according toclaim 20, further comprising communication circuitry in the receiver andtransmitter, wherein the communication circuitry is configured tocommunicate communications signals with the receiver over a wirelesscommunications protocol select from the group consisting of: Bluetooth,infrared, Wi-Fi, FM radio, microwaves, and Zigbee.
 22. The apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein at least one antenna in the array of thetransmitter is selected from the group consisting of: a flat antennaelement, a patch antenna element, and a dipole antenna element, andwherein the height of at least one antenna is from about ⅛ inches toabout 1 inch, and wherein the width of at least one antenna is fromabout ⅛ inches to about 1 inch.
 23. The apparatus according to claim 20,wherein the antenna elements of the transmitter are configured tooperate in a frequency band ranging from about 900 MHz to about 5.8 GHz.24. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the antenna elements ofthe transmitter are configured to operate in independent frequenciesthat allow a multichannel operation of pocket-forming in at least one ofa single array, a pair array, and a quad array.
 25. The apparatusaccording to claim 20, wherein the antenna elements of the transmitterinclude polarization of vertical pole, horizontal pole, circularlypolarized, left hand polarized, right hand polarized or a combination ofpolarizations.
 26. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein thepower transmission wave is selected from the group consisting of:electromagnetic wave, radio wave, microwave, acoustics, ultrasound, andmagnetic resonance.